Rep. Monica Kurth

Maddy summaryHF 625 sets specific expiration dates for existing Iowa tax credit programs, with most ending between 2027 and 2041. It also establishes that any new tax credit program enacted after January 1, 2026, will automatically expire six years after its effective date. The bill preserves tax credits issued or awarded before January 1, 2031, ensuring taxpayers can still claim or redeem them. This affects Iowa taxpayers who currently use or may later claim these credits, but does not alter existing agreements or credits issued prior to the specified dates.

Maddy summaryHF 659 creates a state-administered Iowa Housing Tax Credit Program to support affordable housing development. It allows developers of qualifying low-income housing projects to claim tax credits against certain state taxes, with a $15 million annual cap (plus carryover from previous years). The bill also establishes neighborhood renovation grants and increases tax incentives for first-time homebuyers. These provisions directly affect housing developers, low-income residents, and homebuyers by providing financial tools to build and purchase housing in Iowa.

Maddy summaryHF 671 removes gender restrictions from Iowa's marriage laws. It amends the statute to state that "a party who otherwise meets the requirements... is eligible to marry any other such party regardless of gender," replacing previous language specifying "a marriage between a male and a female." The bill also updates related provisions, including void marriage definitions and a new section stating marriage is the "legally recognized union of two eligible parties," requiring all future legal interpretations of marriage terms to align with this gender-neutral definition. This change directly affects any individuals seeking marriage in Iowa who meet other statutory requirements, regardless of gender.

Maddy summaryHF 661 creates a comprehensive child care package in Iowa. It expands the state's child and dependent care tax credit to match the federal credit amount (retroactive to 2025), establishes a state grant program to raise wages and provide health insurance/benefits for child care workers, and introduces a new small business tax credit for employers offering on-site or nearby child care (capping at $3,000 per employee annually, with a total $2 million annual limit). The bill also adjusts state child care assistance eligibility, raising required work hours for parents and increasing income thresholds to 265% (basic care) and 290% (special needs) of the federal poverty level, while requiring state reimbursement rates to match private-pay rates. These changes directly affect child care workers, small employers providing child care benefits, and low-income families seeking state assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HF 663) seeks to continue Iowa's Medicaid-funded family planning services by requiring the state to request federal approval for a new "Iowa Family Planning Network." It would replace the current state program (Section 217.41B of the Iowa Code) with a network operating under the same benefits and rules as a federal waiver approved in 2017. The repeal of the old program takes effect only after the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approves the new state plan amendment. This change directly affects Iowans who use Medicaid for family planning services and the state program providing those services.

Maddy summaryHF 662 allocates $2.5 million from Iowa's general fund to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for fiscal year 2024-2025 to support refugee resettlement services. The funds are specifically for nonprofit resettlement agencies partnering with the U.S. Department of State to assist refugees in Iowa, covering costs like housing, employment, and healthcare. HHS must distribute the money proportionally to each agency based on the number of refugees they sponsor, and all funds must be disbursed within seven days of the bill taking effect. This direct funding supports refugees and the nonprofits providing their resettlement services in Iowa.

Maddy summaryHF 658 requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cap out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin at $25 per prescription for up to a 31-day supply. It applies to all covered insulin types (rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting) and affects people with diabetes who have insulin-covered plans. The cap takes effect for new or renewed policies starting January 1, 2026, but excludes specialized coverage like Medicare supplements, dental, or workers’ compensation plans. Plans may offer lower costs than $25 but cannot exceed this limit. This directly reduces financial burdens for Iowans managing diabetes through their insurance.

Maddy summaryHF 684 requires all Iowa state agencies to purchase only steel manufactured in the United States. This bill directly affects every state agency that buys steel for projects or operations, such as construction or manufacturing. The key provision mandates that agencies cannot purchase foreign-made steel, changing current procurement practices to prioritize domestically produced materials. The bill is currently in the early stages, having been introduced and referred to committee on February 28, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 687 requires that any contract for a project funded by state money or tax credits must include a provision mandating the use of only products or materials manufactured in the United States, if feasible. This applies directly to state contractors and projects receiving state funds or tax credits, replacing current preferences with a strict requirement. The bill strengthens existing rules by making U.S. manufacturing a mandatory condition for procurement, rather than a preference based on cost comparisons. It does not create new tax credits but modifies how existing state funds are spent.

Maddy summaryHF 685 requires state agency contracts involving steel to include a provision mandating that any steel purchased with state funds or tax credits must be manufactured in the United States. This directly affects state agencies purchasing steel and their suppliers when using state money. The key mechanism is a mandatory contractual clause specifying U.S. manufacturing for covered steel purchases. The bill does not apply to contracts funded by non-state sources.